The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Bihar Election Watch have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 1,297 out of 1,302 candidates contesting in the Bihar Assembly Elections Phase II. According to the report, out of 1,297 candidates analysed, 415 (32%) have declared criminal cases against themselves.
The ADR has observed that it seems that the directions of the Supreme Court have not affected the political parties in the selection of candidates in the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, Phase II, as they have again followed their old practice of giving tickets to around 32% candidates with criminal cases. All major parties contesting in the Bihar Elections Phase 2 have given tickets to 19 % to 100 % candidates who have declared criminal cases against themselves.
The Supreme Court in its directions of February 13, 2020, had specifically instructed political parties to give reasons for such selection and why other individuals without criminal antecedents could not be selected as candidates. As per these mandatory guidelines, the reasons for such selection have to be with reference to qualifications, achievements, and merit of the candidate concerned. During the recent Delhi Assembly elections held in February 2025, it was observed that political parties gave unfounded reasons like the popularity of the person, doing good social work, cases being politically motivated, etc. These are not sound and cogent reasons for fielding candidates with tainted backgrounds. This data clearly shows that political parties have no interest in reforming the electoral system, and our democracy will continue to suffer at the hands of lawbreakers who become lawmakers.
As many as 341(26%) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves, while 19 candidates have declared cases of murder (IPC Section-302, 303) and (BNS Section-103(1)). 79 candidates have declared cases of attempt to murder (IPC Section-307) and (BNS Section-109). As far as candidates with cases related to crimes against women are concerned. As many as 52 candidates have declared cases related to crimes against women. Out of 52 candidates, three have declared cases related to rape (IPC Section 375 and 376).
Party-wise candidates with criminal cases show that all major parties have given tickets to persons with shady credentials. Among the major parties,58(50%) out of 117 candidates analysed from Jan Suraaj Party, 17(19%) out of 91 candidates analysed from BSP, 38 (54%) out of 70 candidates analysed from RJD, 30 (57%) out of 53 candidates analysed from BJP, 14(32%) out of 44 candidates analysed from JD(U), 12(31%) out of 39 candidates analysed from AAP, 25(68%) out of 37 candidates analysed from INC, 9(60%) out of 15 candidates analysed from Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), 5(83%) out of 6 candidates analysed from CPI(ML)(L), 2(50%) out of 4 candidates analysed from CPI and 1 (100%) out of 1 candidate analysed from CPI(M) have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
Among the major parties, 51(44%) out of 117 candidates analysed from Jan Suraaj Party, 12(13%) out of 91 candidates analysed from BSP, 27 (39%) out of 70 candidates analysed from RJD, 22 (42%) out of 53 candidates analysed from BJP, 11(25%) out of 44 candidates analysed from JD(U), 12(31%) out of 39 candidates analysed from AAP, 20(54%) out of 37 candidates analysed from INC, 9(60%) out of 15 candidates analysed from Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), 4(67%) out of 6 candidates analysed from CPI(ML)(L), 2(50%) out of 4 candidates analysed from CPI and 1 (100%) out of 1 candidate analysed from CPI(M) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits. About 73(60%) out of 122 constituencies are red alert constituencies. Red alert constituencies are those where 3 or more contesting candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves.
